Above: City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes spoke at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Endeavour Hills last week.
By Lia Bichel
HUNDREDS of people from across the City of Casey attended Remembrance Day ceremonies last week to pay tribute to fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
About 100 people attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Endeavour Hills on Friday.
Residents, students and members of the community gathered at The Peace Memorial on 11 November at a service hosted by the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL.
Vice-president of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL John Laughton JP conducted the service, which was the 22nd Remembrance Day service he had been involved in.
The City of Greater Dandenong Band played The Last Post, Alistair Wright was the piper, and St Paul’s Apostle Primary School North students Himaya Nelson and Lachlan Iape recited The Ode.
Principal of Maranatha Christian School Vernon Clark said a prayer.
City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes was the guest speaker at the service. “Our country has sacrificed over 100,000 lives in two world wars,” Cr Balmes said.“These were men who would sooner lie down and die than let a mate down, who loved their country. Let us remember them and honour them with our own lives. Let us create a community they would be proud of.”
Wreaths were laid by many local residents, dignitaries and members of organisations including the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL, Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL Ladies’ Auxiliary, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, navy and army cadets, Victoria Police, the Australian Air League, Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills, veterans’ associations, and local schools.
